Joburg-Lewiston students raise $1,700 for Relay for Life

May 30, 2008|By Jil Schult, Staff Writer

JOHANNESBURG — Students at Johannesburg-Lewiston High School and Johannesburg Middle/Elementary School put on their walking shoes and raised $1,700 for American Cancer Society in an event that served as a prelude to this weekend’s Relay For Life (RFL).

For the week of the mini Relay for Life walk on May 16, students participated in a spirit week, tackling a cancer prevention issue each day. Students focused on the benefits of nutrition, sunscreen, not smoking and physical fitness.

According to Rebecca Townsend, RFL of Otsego County chairperson, the mini relay was not about the money.

“Some students raised money,” she said, “but it was more about awareness.”

Money raised during the five-hour event will be donated to Otsego County RFL, held today (Saturday) and Sunday at the Otsego County Fairgrounds (see related story for RFL schedule), but, according to Townsend, the purpose of the event was to get students thinking about participating in a relay now in hopes of students becoming involved in relays later in life.

Advertisement

The event, attended by 14 cancer survivors, included a luminary ceremony.

“We tried to make it close to the real relay,” said Townsend.

From 9 a.m.-2 p.m., the event was sponsored by Student Government, National Honor Society and Parents Acting for Cardinal Kids. Students took a break from the makeshift track on the football field to participate in carnival games and competitions.

According to Renee Campbell, student government adviser, the mini relay is going to become an annual event.